Stepping Forward into the New Year

As the year draws to a close, there’s a familiar feeling in the air. The days are quieter, the mood is reflective, and a new year feels just around the corner. New Year’s is the moment when we pause before turning the page, look back with gratitude, and move forward with intention.

For Step Forward Health Society, 2025 has been a year of growth, connection, and community. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and deeply thankful to everyone who walked alongside us.

This year was filled with meaningful milestones for Step Forward Health Society. Our community came together for our inaugural Move for Mental Health walk through the beautiful trails of Deas Island. We also celebrated the one-year anniversary of our Launching Forward campaign to make mental health care more accessible.

Beyond these events, we were honoured to be named a finalist for Nonprofit of the Year at the 2025 Delta Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards, recognising the impact our work is having in the community. We also partnered with our first service provider, Alongside You, to offer low-cost counselling sessions for individuals on Income Assistance or Persons with Disabilities, helping reduce financial barriers while supporting counselling interns completing their Master’s or Doctoral training. And finally, we reached a significant organisational milestone by welcoming two new board members and moving from an entirely volunteer-run organisation to our first paid staff role: an Executive Director (more details to come). Each of these achievements reflects our commitment to finding solutions for those who too often fall through the cracks and meeting the mental health needs of our community.

This year, we were also proud to release Five Steps Forward, a free e-book that brings together simple, science-informed ways to support mental health. Developing this resource was a meaningful achievement for our organisation, reflecting what we believe at our core: that caring for mental health does not have to be complicated, expensive, or overwhelming. By focusing on small, consistent steps, Five Steps Forward offers practical, accessible guidance that can make a real difference in everyday life.

As we approach the New Year, a season often filled with resolutions and fresh starts, we’d like to offer a gentle suggestion: What if this year’s resolution focused on positive mental health?

Simple Ways to Support Your Mental Health in the New Year

Drawing inspiration from Five Steps Forward, here are a few practical, flexible ideas you can carry into 2026.

Step outside when you can.

Spending time outdoors is one of the most accessible ways to support mental well-being. A short walk after a holiday meal, a breath of fresh air on New Year’s Day, or time in a local park can help reduce stress, lift your mood, and restore mental clarity. Even just a few minutes is a great starting point.

Stay connected.

The holidays and winter months can feel surprisingly isolating. Making space for connection - whether that’s a phone call, a shared meal, or a community event - supports emotional health and reminds us we’re not alone. Connection doesn’t have to be big or complicated; small, meaningful moments matter.

Support your body’s rhythm with light, sleep, and movement.

Getting daylight during the day, keeping a regular sleep schedule, and finding gentle ways to move your body all work together to support mood and energy. Dancing at a New Year’s gathering, stretching in the morning, or starting the year with a short daily walk are all great places to begin.

Practice gratitude and mindfulness.

Taking time to notice what went well can help train the brain to hold onto the positive. You might write down a few moments you’re thankful for from the past year, or pause to be present during a meaningful celebration.

Allow yourself to start small.

Let go of “all-or-nothing” thinking. Mental health isn’t about perfect routines or dramatic changes. It’s about meeting yourself where you are and taking the next step forward.

Looking Ahead Together

What makes these practices powerful is their simplicity. They’re adaptable, accessible, and realistic, designed to fit into real lives, not ideal schedules. No matter your age, background, or circumstances, mental health care can start with small, meaningful choices.

As we move into a new year, we want to say thank you. Thank you for supporting Step Forward Health Society, for showing up to events, for donating, volunteering, sharing resources, and for being part of a community that believes mental health care should be accessible to everyone.

We’re hopeful for what lies ahead and encouraged by the strength and compassion we see every day.

If you haven’t already, we invite you to read Five Steps Forward, our free e-book filled with practical tools for supporting mental well-being. Share it with friends, family, neighbours and anyone else who might benefit. Let’s make positive mental health our New Year’s resolution.

Here’s to stepping forward into 2026 with care, connection, and hope.